Community tying together for 'White Ribbon Week'

Annual event promotes safe driving among teens and graduating seniors

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For more information on White Ribbon Week, please contact Tess Simgen, Community Services Analyst at (661) 255-3731 or visit www.santa-clarita.com.

The city of Santa Clarita, Frontier Toyota, Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital, the Santa Clarita Sheriff's Department, Safe Rides, The Signal and the Blue Ribbon Task force will team up for the annual White Ribbon Week and Drive Safe Program, which is designed to teach teens and graduating seniors about safe driving.

The event takes place Thursday, May 28 through Friday, June 5, which is when all local high schools hold graduation ceremonies.

Frontier Toyota will also host its annual Drive Safe program in conjunction with White Ribbon Week, with participation from Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital and the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station.

The program assists in preventing teen-related car collisions in the community with Santa Clarita Valley's "Safe Rides" program, in which teen volunteers with adult assistance provide peers with confidential safe rides home from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights.

"The number of teens involved and killed in traffic-related incidents drastically increases during spring's prom and graduation season," said Mayor Frank Ferry.

"Santa Clarita businesses and organizations come together for White Ribbon Week to combat this tragic problem and make sure our kids are celebrating safely without endangering their lives and the lives of others."

Santa Clarita's White Ribbon Week will include a number of programs designed to educate students about the dangers of reckless driving and promote responsible habits behind-the-wheel.

The Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station will make presentations to senior classes and distribute white ribbons for students to wear on their gown during graduation to remind them to celebrate commencement in a safe and sober way.

Henry Mayo trauma nurses will visit local high school driver's education classes and show students graphic images of car crashes caused by teens, as well as a candid discussion about what can be done to prevent them and help keep city roads free from teen-related reckless driving incidents.

White ribbons will be available for residents at local businesses like City Hall, Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital, Frontier Toyota and more.

A large white ribbon placed in front of City Hall to show the city's commitment to White Ribbon Week and the safety of local youth on the road.